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“In other words, I love you beautiful girl.”
There’s a smile on her face that remains, as they look in each other’s eyes.
“I love you too, darling.”
“In my aloneness, and for many years, I have dreamed of you. How you’d look in the softness of evening. That your arms would be lovely. I have dreamed, and enjoyed the view.”
You could hear a pin drop.
“How I would love you. And how easy it all would be. But, my satin doll, you have exceeded every imagined joy.”
Her eyes become wet with tears.
Then, he slowly kneels on his good knee, and the sound of our collective intake of breaths is the unintended reaction. Every one of us watching, as stunned as the next.
“Oh my God,” she whispers.
He reaches in his pants pocket and brings out a carved wooden ring box. Opening it, he asks the question.
“Nani Medina, I give my life to you. Marry me, and we will walk each other home.”
“Oh!” Kala says, the reaction escaping.
Mom stands and helps Lani up. Eyes lock, then they are in each other’s tight embrace.
“Yes, my love. Yes.”
Our happy, loud reactions, surround the newly engaged couple. We wake Palani, who starts crying right along with the rest of us.
Chapter 23
LEILANI
It seems odd that so much happiness is mixed inside the sadness. At least for me. And for him. The surprise engagement and grand reopening of Nani’s sits right alongside the countdown to Alana and Alek’s return home. 3, 2, 1. Poof, he is gone.
Akoni’s new job and happier attitude bump up against the reality of my situation. The thought of being without my love sucks. Now I am the one in the doldrums. Maybe it is the universe’s plan that we can’t all be happy at once. Who would write the poems or lost love songs?
I know I will stay close to Nani. But she will probably be at Lani’s house most of the time. I haven’t heard. Think I am considered part of the family in a sense though. That’s what Alek said. Time will tell the complete story.
I shake off the negative tape playing in my mind. There will be enough time for listening in a few days. Turning onto the road to the restaurant, I am snapped back to the present. There is a line of cars! Woo-hoo!
Everything looks perfect. That is all I can think of. The foliage is pruned, the signage classy and understated. Like it is saying it is such a special place there is no need to oversell. Damn! I should have come earlier. Hope there’s enough spaces. My cell rings. Alek.
“Where are you? It’s getting busy here!”
“I’m here. Just driving into the parking lot.”
“Okay good. We never thought parking would be tight, but it’s getting that way. See you in a minute.”
“Okay. Hey! Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“Love you, sexy.”
“That’s it. Love you too.”
I disconnect and smile at our playfulness. Shit. How am I going to live without him?
“Stop it,” I say aloud.
